Mountain Bike Trails

healthygirl

Hi All, have been racking up the miles training for Gaelforce on my roadbike however I really want to try my hand at mountain biking. I heard there was a purpose built trail in Wicklow but I heard it is for experts. Are there any decent track/trails anywhere in the Dublin area???

Peterx

There is a waymarked purpose built trail at Ballinastoe Woods which has been designed to be inclusive. As you get better at biking you can do it quicker but it's doable first time on a mountain bike.
EPICmtb are holding a race in Djouce woods this weekend and there may be a beginner section, at the very least you'll meet other bikers who may point you in the right direction.
Coillte's website has a recreational section listing their MTB trails.

3 Rock mountain near Sandyford has plenty of trails some of which are easy to find from the fireroads.
The perimeter of the Phoneix Park would be good to get the hang of the bike if you have not used a mountain bike before.

Morgan

You'll find some useful information here http://www.mbi.ie.

As Peter says - the Phoenix Park is a great place to get used to riding offroad - try around they Khyber Road and the Furry Glen to start.

strummer_ie

mockler007 was arranging spins around the Phoenix Park a while back......
Twas on a Wednesday and Sunday, me thinks.
Not sure if this is still happening though.

See post at:
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055858078

bubble_wrap

i go up the Phoenix park a lot, usually do a few laps around the furry glen, cut across to the popes cross then down the magazine forts, then up by the cricket pitch and around again, a mixture of trails and road, your welcome to tag along, its fairly handy and good for learning and getting to grips with the bike!

Depending on time it can be anything from 2 laps - 10 laps, bring a helmet (i don't but im reckless!!), you also need fluids and some fig rolls

healthygirl

Thanks for the info guys. Looking at a Trek 4500, any recommendations???

bubble_wrap

hmm personally i would go full suspension, maybe try and pick up a 2nd hand XC one, your ass will appreciate it!

slickmcvic

healthygirl wrote: »

Thanks for the info guys. Looking at a Trek 4500, any recommendations???

...got a trek 4500 a few weeks ago...had it up in balinistoe earlier this week....well able for it!

Morgan

healthygirl wrote: »

Thanks for the info guys. Looking at a Trek 4500, any recommendations???

Perfect choice as a first mtb.

bubble_wrap wrote: »

hmm personally i would go full suspension, maybe try and pick up a 2nd hand XC one, your ass will appreciate it!

Stand up more.

bubble_wrap

Morgan wrote: »

Perfect choice as a first mtb.


Stand up more.

hmm personally i don't agree with you and think the components on the Trek are rubbish but each to their own, i believe in doing things right though, saves money in the long run!

DirkVoodoo

Most people would say you are best learning the basics on a hardtail, even a second hand full sus bike will be quite expensive for a beginner looking to sample the sport and far more than they need. Not being comfortable on a hard tail either means your technique is wrong or you should swap out the tyres.

bubble_wrap

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Most people would say you are best learning the basics on a hardtail, even a second hand full sus bike will be quite expensive for a beginner looking to sample the sport and far more than they need. Not being comfortable on a hard tail either means your technique is wrong or you should swap out the tyres.

You may have a point, maybe i have just forgotten but one things for sure, having a 20 min spin on my mates hardtail a while back i couldnt wait to get back on my machine,impossible to be comfortable onn it, granted mine is fairly high end carbon bike but still....id never go back hardtail!

JayEnnis

healthygirl wrote: »

Thanks for the info guys. Looking at a Trek 4500, any recommendations???

For your first bike get a good second hand hardtail, none of this starting out on a full sus bull****.

You'll learn quicker on a hardtail and then be able to transfer those skills over to a full sus in a year or two. If you look at all the best pro's and top Irish riders they all started on hardtails.

Also the track in ballinastoe is do-able for beginners if you take your time, none of the trails in Ireland are expert level though they can get very technical.

My suggestion be an all round hardtail frame with a single ring up front, nine out back and a pike or something similar up front.

Drapper

bubble_wrap wrote: »

hmm personally i don't agree with you and think the components on the Trek are rubbish but each to their own, i believe in doing things right though, saves money in the long run!

believe me, Morgan knows his stuff on mtbs.... believe me...